Oakland Raiders: Lots of injuries, but not so painful

Published 4:00 am, Tuesday, November 2, 2010

The Raiders' Nnamdi Asomugha is helped off the field in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

The Raiders' Nnamdi Asomugha is helped off the field in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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The Raiders' Stanford Routt causes an interception by his teammate Tyvon Branch after he knocks the ball from receiver Deon Butler in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum. less

The Raiders' Stanford Routt causes an interception by his teammate Tyvon Branch after he knocks the ball from receiver Deon Butler in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland ... more

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Darrius Heyward-Bey celebrates his second-half touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Darrius Heyward-Bey celebrates his second-half touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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The Seahawks' Justin Forsett is stopped for short yardage by Rolando McClain (55) and Chris Johnson in the second half Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

The Seahawks' Justin Forsett is stopped for short yardage by Rolando McClain (55) and Chris Johnson in the second half Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Marcel Reece (45) and Darren McFadden celebrate Reece's second quarter touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Marcel Reece (45) and Darren McFadden celebrate Reece's second quarter touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Darrius Heyward-Bey (85) and Rolando McClain celebrate Heyward-Bey's second-half touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Darrius Heyward-Bey (85) and Rolando McClain celebrate Heyward-Bey's second-half touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Marcel Reece (45) celebrates his second-quarter touchdown with Jacoby Ford on his back in the end zone Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Marcel Reece (45) celebrates his second-quarter touchdown with Jacoby Ford on his back in the end zone Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Darren McFadden runs over several defenders to move the ball down the field in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Darren McFadden runs over several defenders to move the ball down the field in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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The Raiders' Darren McFadden makes a big gain in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

The Raiders' Darren McFadden makes a big gain in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Mike Mitchell breaks up a pass to John Carlson in the third quarter Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Mike Mitchell breaks up a pass to John Carlson in the third quarter Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Michael Bush makes a big gain in the third quarter by catching the ball after it veered off receiver Jacoby Ford on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Michael Bush makes a big gain in the third quarter by catching the ball after it veered off receiver Jacoby Ford on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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In a crazy play, Michael Bush (29) catches the ball after it veers off receiver Jacoby Ford and takes it down for a big gain in the second half Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

In a crazy play, Michael Bush (29) catches the ball after it veers off receiver Jacoby Ford and takes it down for a big gain in the second half Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Michael Bush makes a fourth quarter gain and eventually scores a touchdown in the last minutes of the game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Michael Bush makes a fourth quarter gain and eventually scores a touchdown in the last minutes of the game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Darrius Heyward-Bey takes care of a Seattle defender as he goes upfield after a catch in the first half Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Darrius Heyward-Bey takes care of a Seattle defender as he goes upfield after a catch in the first half Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Jason Campbell scrambles for a gain in the first half against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Jason Campbell scrambles for a gain in the first half against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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The Raiders' Nnamdi Asomugha breaks up a pass to Golden Tate in the first half against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

The Raiders' Nnamdi Asomugha breaks up a pass to Golden Tate in the first half against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Darrius Heyward-Bey races down the field after a first half reception against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Darrius Heyward-Bey races down the field after a first half reception against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Jason Campbell runs out of the pocket and gets some yardage during this first half against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Jason Campbell runs out of the pocket and gets some yardage during this first half against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Oakland Raiders: Lots of injuries, but not so painful

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Zach Millerwas hobbling on crutches. Louis Murphywas talking about spitting up blood. But they were smiling, as was everybody else around the Raiders' facility Monday.

Oakland is hurting, but injuries don't hurt as much when you've outscored your last two opponents 92-17. Or are sitting at 4-4 for the first time since 2002.

Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha was not in the locker room, as he was getting an MRI exam on a sprained right ankle. ProFootballTalk.com had a source saying it was a more serious high ankle sprain, but Raiders coach Tom Cablesaid the team doesn't know yet the severity of the sprain.

"He does not have a fracture," Cable said. "We'll know more Wednesday in terms of the extent of the injury. ... Just appears to be an ankle sprain. And how long that means, really won't know here for about 48 hours."

Miller, a tight end, is expected to play in Sunday's AFC West matchup against division-leading Kansas City (5-2). He has a sore right foot and was on crutches as a precaution.

Murphy missed Sunday's game with a bruised lung, but the receiver said he hasn't split up blood for a week and feels fine. Cable, though, said he is "probably out" this week to fully heal.

Play hard, work hard: The Raiders were very loosey-goosey last week at practice. Johnnie Lee Higginstried to start a break-dance contest, then the next minute, several players were playing hot potato. Some observers, even Cable's son, wondered if the players were a little too happy about the 59-14 win over Denver and not focused on the next opponent, Seattle.

Well, they won 33-3 so ... the Raiders can play leapfrog at practice if they like.

"They know I'm OK with having fun, but it's time to work, you work, and they're very good that way," Cable said. "I was telling my boy this is kind of how this team is, they're laughing and joking and then we went to a team period and it was business."

The Raiders are playing with a relaxed confidence. They still rack up penalties (11 Sunday, league-high 76 this season), but those don't matter as much when you're physically beating up teams on offense and defense.

"We do like each other, we do care about each other and we're playing for each other," Cable said. "When it's time to go to work, this group does that. That's become our call: 'It's time to go to work.' "

Clear-cut at QB: Jason Campbellhas completed 27 of 47 passes for 514 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions the last two weeks as the Raiders scored their highest back-to-back game total since 2002. Still, Cable reiterated Monday that Bruce Gradkowskiwill start as soon as his shoulder is healthy.

Gradkowski threw before the game Sunday and said it was the best he had felt since getting hurt Oct. 10.

"It's clear-cut," Cable said. "There's no issue there in my mind. What we've done is some nice things in the last two weeks. You've got to take your hat off to Jason. It's a nice job on his part ... but, we know who our quarterback is."

Last word: Rookie linebacker Rolando McClain turned down interview requests again Monday. "If the fans come out and we can sell out a damn game, I'll talk to the media," he said. "Until then ... I need full fan support."

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